A Princeton University research team has conducted two experiments they argue confirms that rats given high-fructose corn syrup gain significantly more weight than those given sucrose.

The findings are of major significance in America’s obesity problem and have already been disputed by the Corn Refiners Association. Corn producers argue that the amount of corn syrup given the rats is the equivalent of 20 cans of 12 ounce soda a day.

Psychology professor Bart Hoebel, who specializes in the neuroscience of appetite, weight and sugar addiction said:

“When rats are drinking high-fructose corn syrup at levels well below those in soda pop, they’re becoming obese — every single one, across the board. Even when rats are fed a high-fat diet, you don’t see this; they don’t all gain extra weight.” via Science Daily

A small study published in late 2009 from the University of California had very alarming results in humans fed a heavily controlled diet of high-fructose corn syrup vs sucrose syrup.